Her career has blossomed over three decades, culminating in a burst of fame following her Oscar-winning portrayal in the 2022 film, "Everything Everywhere All at Once." Michelle has also left an indelible mark on screens through her roles in "Crazy Rich Asians," "Tomorrow Never Dies," and the soon-to-be-released cinematic adaptation of "Wicked." Prior to her acting endeavors, she tied the knot with Hong Kong tycoon Dickson Poon, whom she encountered after winning the Miss World Malaysia title in 1983. Dickson, who hired her for a fashion ad alongside Jackie Chan, became her life partner in 1988. Michelle revealed to the Sunday Times that upon marrying Dickson, she chose to step away from her budding acting career, driven by a deep desire to start a family. However, the realization that she couldn't conceive shattered her dreams.
Understanding Dickson's longing for children, Michelle amicably ended their three-year marriage. Despite the divorce, they remain close friends, with Dickson even appointing Michelle as the godmother to his eldest daughter. Last year, Michelle found love again, marrying businessman Jean Todt after a 19-year engagement.
"Perhaps the deepest sorrow in my life is the inability to have children," Michelle confessed to the Times. "Yet, the silver lining is that I'm blessed with six godchildren and countless nephews and nieces," she added. "I harbor no regrets, for I've always given my all. I tried every possible way to make it happen, but sometimes, even that isn't enough," she continued, her arms raising with fists clenched. "Life teaches us that we can't always hold on tight; letting go, at times, is what propels us forward," she wisely noted.
Michelle previously shared with Bustle that after her divorce, she ventured back into acting. Within a year, she landed a lead role alongside Jackie Chan in the 1992 action film "Supercop." "I was incredibly fortunate. When I stepped back from my marriage, the Hong Kong media reassured me that the audience was still eager for my return. They never considered me gone; they merely believed I was working on a film yet to be unveiled," she recounted. "With that encouragement, I decided to make a comeback. And, behold, director Stanley Tong, who was set to direct 'Supercop' with Jackie Chan, knocked on my door. He reminded me of a promise I made him years ago – that if he ever became a director with a promising film, he could call upon me. And he did just that," she reminisced with a smile.
